Date: 2023-11-17Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2023/2610 of 15 November 2023 on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA), and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2021/661 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/3/2023)
**Summary:**
On November 15, 2023, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) adopted Decision CFSP 2023/2610 concerning the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, which contributes to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. This decision, published in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series 2023/2610) on November 17, 2023, appoints Vice Admiral Ignacio VILLANUEVA SERRANO as the EU Operation Commander, effective November 23, 2023. The decision repeals Decision CFSP 2021/661, which had appointed Vice Admiral Jos M. NEZ TORRENTE to the position on April 20, 2021. The legal basis for this decision is Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 6(1) of Council Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP. The EU Military Committee supported the proposal to appoint Vice Admiral VILLANUEVA SERRANO on September 28, 2023, following a proposal by the Spanish military authorities on September 22, 2023. The decision enters into force on the date of its adoption and applies from November 23, 2023.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Political and Security Committee: A committee within the European Union responsible for security and defence matters.
EU Operation Commander: The commander of a specific European Union military operation.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA: European Union Naval Force operation Atalanta, a military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
West Indian Ocean: A region in the western part of the Indian Ocean, relevant to maritime security operations.
Red Sea: A sea between Africa and Asia, a key maritime route and area of concern for security.
Ignacio VILLANUEVA SERRANO: The Vice Admiral appointed as EU Operation Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA.
Jos M. NEZ TORRENTE: The Vice Admiral who was previously the EU Operation Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2023/2610 17.11.2023
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2023/2610
of 15 November 2023
on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation to
contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR
ATALANTA), and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2021/661 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/3/2023)
THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 38 thereof,
Having regard to Council Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP of 10 November 2008on a European Union military operation to
contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA)(1), and in
particular Article 6(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Pursuant to Article 6(1) of Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee
(PSC) to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for the European Union military
operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR
ATALANTA) (the ‘EU Operation Commander’).
(2) On 20 April 2021, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/661(2) appointing Vice Admiral José M. NÚÑEZ
TORRENTE as EU Operation Commander from 21 April 2021.
(3) On 22 September 2023, the Spanish military authorities proposed that Rear Admiral Ignacio VILLANUEVA
SERRANO succeed Vice Admiral José M. NÚÑEZ TORRENTE as EU Operation Commander from 23 November
2023.
(4) On 28 September 2023, the EU Military Committee supported the proposal to appoint Rear Admiral Ignacio
VILLANUEVA SERRANO as EU Operation Commander.
(5) On 30 October 2023, Rear Admiral Ignacio VILLANUEVA SERRANO was promoted to Vice Admiral.
(6) Decision (CFSP) 2021/661 should therefore be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Vice Admiral Ignacio VILLANUEVA SERRANO is hereby appointed as EU Operation Commander for the European Union
military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR
ATALANTA) from 23 November 2023.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2021/661 is hereby repealed.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
It shall apply from 23 November 2023.
(1) OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2021/661 of 20 April 2021 on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander
for the European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed
robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2021/87 (ATALANTA/3/2021) (OJ L 140, 23.4.2021, p. 12).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2610/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 17.11.2023
Done at Brussels, 15 November 2023.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
D. PRONK
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2610/oj